We’re already halfway through the year, and many of us are still looking at our vision boards like Pinterest moodboards: pretty, but totally unexecuted. Naomi Hopper, content creator and queen of “discipline over motivation,” dropped a truth bomb in a viral video by saying what no one wants to hear—but everyone needs to:
“You’re manifesting daily, but you’re not taking action.”
And she’s absolutely right. It’s not about full moon rituals if you’re not lifting a finger for yourself.
Not feeling motivated? Welcome to the club.
Naomi admits that after Coachella, events, family celebrations, and basically living her best life, getting back into her healthy routine felt more exhausting than climbing stairs with a hangover. And honestly… who hasn’t felt the same?
But here’s the brilliant part: instead of forcing herself back with punishment, she used pleasure.
Not cheat meal pleasure—but using rewards in her favor.
She changed the order of her “treats,” and what used to demotivate her now pushes her forward:
● No coffee until she sets foot in the gym.
● No Instagram until after the workout.
● And the most dreaded moment (the stair climber) becomes her new social media break.
Literally: she paired discomfort with something she does enjoy.
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More real than perfect: the formula works.
What Naomi applies is inspired by Atomic Habits (you know, that book we’ve all bought, highlighted… and left in a drawer). But she makes it practical and real. She’s not talking about changing your life in 30 days. She talks about knowing yourself and using your pleasures to get where you want to go.
“I don’t punish myself. I don’t try to be perfect on day one.”
And honestly, that’s a game changer.
Personally… this really clicked for me.
There’s something powerful about stopping the wait for motivation to show up, and starting to move using what you already have: your habits, your preferences, and your ability to bend the rules in your favor.
I tried it (yes, with coffee as punishment), and it was way more effective than any motivational playlist. It rewires your mindset.
You stop seeing yourself as the lazy one who can’t, and start seeing yourself as someone who organizes their life with emotional intelligence.
So—what’s your matcha motivator?
Because in the end, that’s what it’s about: not doing things out of obligation, but building your day around what you love—without sabotaging your goals.
Use scrolling as a reward. Your latte as a boost. Your habits as your system. And your routine as your ally.
Written by Michelle Zambrana